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Old 07-15-2004, 01:17 AM   #186
Heyman
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DISCUSSION: My opinions on the Shaq trade
http://www.nba.com/features/oneal_mia_040714.html

Quote:
While the Detroit Pistons' dismantling of the Lakers in the NBA Finals was the story of the year, it didn't come as a result of shutting down O'Neal. The big man averaged 26.6 ppg on .631 shooting over the five-game series and publicly questioned why his teammates weren't getting him the ball, a problem that won't arise in Miami precisely because of attitudes like Wade's. There will be no power struggles, no divisive tugs-of-war via the media; in South Florida, Shaq is unquestionably the man.

Quite honestly? I think this trade is EXCELLENT for the Miami Heat. I think the biggest thing that the Heat have going for them (as the article alluded to), is that Shaq will CLEARLY be the man in Miami.

Here's another thing that I firmly believe.

Kobe Bryant is a much better player than Shaq, but Shaq is a more VALUABLE player than Kobe. This is particularly noticeable under pressure (Shaq is much more consistent under pressure). Furthermore - Shaq is much more of a leader than Kobe. Kobe is a great player, but he can't 'lead' a team. Shaq however, can.

Lastly - I don't believe that Shaq' "getting old" will be a problem. I think this will be countered with new motivation on Shaq's part. Furthermore - I think Shaq will flourish now that HE knows that he is the #1 man again.



Quote:
With Shaq in the fold, the Heat are likely to start Wade and Eddie Jones in the backcourt, Udonis Haslem at power forward and a player-to-be-named at small forward -- perhaps restricted free agent Rasual Butler or any of the bevy of available swingmen who will be pounding down Miami's door to play alongside the team's latest acquisition.

Wade and Haslem are both entering their second year, but Wade has already shown a Kobe Bryant-like flair for the dramatic, averaging 18.0 ppg, 5.6 apg and 4.0 rpg during the playoffs, while Haslem was a bruiser in the paint, grabbing 6.3 rpg in just 23.9 minutes last year. Jones, a former teammate of O'Neal's in L.A., may have lost a step defensively and will be 33 when the 2004-05 season opens, but he remains an effective shooter. He led Miami in scoring last year with 17.3 ppg and was third in the league with 177 3-pointers.
The Heat have a decent nuclei of talent.

Mark my words: The Heat will be a contender in the East this year. The team that beats them (if someone does) will probably win the championships.


As far as the Lakers go? I think they'll still be a talented team (who will finish above .500), but they will be inconsistent. I don't see them getting past San Antonio.......(or perhaps even Sacramento).

Speaking of Sacramento, I firmly believe that they need to trade Webber (or make Mike Bibby the CLEAR CUT #1 guy on the team.......and give the ball to Bibby more under pressure).
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